Dispenser with sanitary discharge

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for flowable product is provided having a container body defining a storage chamber. A discharge tube is provided having an inlet positioned within the storage chamber and an outlet positioned within a recess formed in the top wall of the container. A cap is releasably secured to outlet of the discharge tube and positioned within the recess when in the closed position. A removable patch is secured to the top wall and covers the recess, the discharge tube outlet and the cap. Removal of the patch exposes the cap within the recess. The sealing member is released from its closed position to expose the outlet of the discharge tube. The dispenser is selectively rotated for discharge of the product through the tube outlet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of the filingdate of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/806,467, filed Mar. 29,2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for retaining anddischarging a flowable product, such as a granular or powdered material.The dispenser further includes a sealing structure for the dischargeoutlet.

BACKGROUND

A number of forms of dispensers having discharge controls are known,including those having a closed or shipping position and a separateoperative position whereby discharge of the retained product may occur.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,962 to Popivalo shows a dispensing device having adefined chamber and a discharge tube extending from the top of thechamber to an inlet opening positioned adjacent the bottom wall of thechamber. A pivotable plate normally covers the top end of the dischargetube and opens when the dispenser is in the inverted, dischargeposition.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,538,336 to Smith shows a dispensing device having adefined chamber and a discharge tube extending from the top of thechamber to an inlet opening positioned adjacent the bottom wall. A capis inserted into the top end of the discharge tube to close thedispenser and is removed to permit discharge through the tube uponinversion of the dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,276,382 to Loveland shows a dispensing device having anaxially moveable discharge tube positioned along one side of acontainer. The discharge tube communicates with a casing formed on thebottom wall of a retaining chamber within the device. The front wall ofthe casing is open to the chamber, such that material in the chamber mayfill the casing when the discharge tube is in a lifted position.Rotation of the tube about its central axis positions the flange toclose the inlet opening. Lifting of the tube (axially) opens the casingfor filling material therein. Inversion of the device discharges thedose of material from the casing through the discharge tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,366 to Meisner et al. shows a dispenser having ametering trap at the base for defining a product dose to be dispensed.The dispenser includes a discharge tube that is positioned along oneside wall and is open at the bottom. The trap is rotatable and forms thebottom wall of the dispenser. The trap includes a number of chambersthat are filled with the product from the dispenser. Rotation of thetrap positions the discharge tube to cover one of the chambers andinversion of the dispenser causes discharge of the product within thecovered chamber through the discharge tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the disclosure, a dispenser is provided for retaining aflowable product, such as a granular or powdered material. The dispenserincludes a body defining a storage chamber for retaining the product.The body may be formed from a side wall, a top wall having a definedsurface and a recess formed therein, and a bottom wall. An opening isprovided in the recess and a discharge tube is secured within theopening. The discharge tube includes an inlet positioned within thestorage chamber and an outlet positioned within the recess in the topwall. A sealing cap is provided for releasably covering the outlet ofthe discharge tube and closing the tube. The sealing cap is positionedwithin the recess in the closed position. A patch is releasably securedto the top wall and covers the recess. The patch preferably conforms tothe defined surface of the top wall and seals the recess, with the capand discharge tube outlet also sealed therein. The patch may be removedfrom the sealing position to expose the cap. Removal of the cap from thedischarge tube exposes the outlet. Rotation of the dispenser from anupright position to a second position causes movement of product fromthe chamber, into the inlet, through the tube and out of the outlet.

In a further aspect of the dispenser, the cap may be frictionallysecured to the outlet of the discharge tube. The cap may be tethered tothe discharge tube and may be integrally formed with the tube. Thedischarge tube may include an outwardly projecting flange positionedadjacent the outlet, with the flange providing stabilization to thedischarge tube in the opening. The discharge tube may further beslidingly retained within the opening in the top wall.

In a further aspect of the dispenser, the side wall may be formed as anopen ended cylinder, with the top wall attached to the one end of thecylinder and the bottom wall attached to an opposite end of the cylinderto form the body of the dispenser.

In a still further aspect of the dispenser, the patch is adhesivelysecured to the defined surface of the top wall. The patch may be formedfrom a flexible web.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a dispenser for flowable productis provided having a container body defining a storage chamber. Adischarge tube is provided having an inlet communicating with thestorage chamber and an outlet positioned with a recess in the wall ofthe container. A cap is releasably secured to the outlet of thedischarge tube and positioned within the recess. A removable patch issecured to the top wall and covers the recess, the discharge tube outletand the cap. Removal of the patch exposes the cap within the recess. Thecap may then be released from its closed position to expose the outletof the discharge tube. The dispenser is selectively rotated fordischarge of the product through the discharge tube.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from thedetailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood thatthe invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dispenser in a form contemplated by thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with a patchportion being removed from the top wall of the dispenser body.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 with asealing cap shown in a rotated, open position.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser as shown in FIG. 1with the patch portion in its covering position on the top wall of thedispenser body.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser as shown in FIG. 2with the sealing cap shown in the rotated, open position.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the top wall portion of the dispenser ofFIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals identify likeelements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a dispenser, which is generallyreferred to by the numeral 10. The dispenser 10 is defined by acontainer body 12 having a side wall 14, a top wall 16. As shown in thecross sections of FIGS. 4 and 5, a bottom wall 18 is provided. Thebottom wall 18, side wall 14 and top wall 16 define an internal storagechamber 20. The embodiment if the dispenser 10 shown includes acylindrical side wall 14 and round plates forming the top wall 16 andbottom wall 18. Other forms and shapes are contemplated, includingsquare, rectangular, triangular or other multi-walled configurations.

In FIG. 1, the top wall 16 is secured to the side wall 14 and a cover orpatch 22 is secured to the upper surface 24 of the top wall 16. Thepatch 22 is contemplated to be a planer membrane or web that isadhesively secured to the outer surface 24 of the top wall 16. The patchmay be formed by a barrier film, paper or foil. Other materials my alsobe utilized as desired. In FIG. 2, the patch 22 is removed from theupper surface 24, exposing a sealing cap 26. In the cross section ofFIG. 4, the cap 26 is in the closed position and is secured to theoutlet end 28 of a discharge tube 30. The inlet end 32 of the dischargetube 30 is positioned within the storage chamber 20. The outlet end 28of the tube 30 and the sealing cap 26 are positioned within a formedrecess 34 on the upper surface 24 of the top wall 16.

In FIGS. 3 and 5, the cap 26 is shown in an open position. The cap 26includes a top surface and a peripheral skirt defining inside dimensionsthat closely conform to the outside dimensions of the outlet end 28 ofthe discharge tube 30. The cap 26 in the closed position (FIGS. 2 and 4)is frictionally secured to the outlet end 38 of the tube 30 and may beselectively removed to open the dispenser 10 for discharge (FIGS. 3 and5). The cap 26 is preferably connected to the tube 30 by a tether orhinge. The cap 26 may be integrally formed or molded as part of the tube30 or may include means for attachment. Alternatively the cap 26 may bea separate element. In the open position, the cap 26 is retained withina saddle portion 38 of the recess 36. The dimensions of the saddleportion 38 may be formed to frictionally accept the cap within therecess 38 to avoid accidental interference with the opening of the tube20 at the outlet end 28. The cap 26 is provided with projecting tabs 34on the side edges of the skirt. The tabs 34 are provided for grippingthe cap 26 during release from the closed position on the tube 30 andduring the securing of the cap 26 on the outlet end 28 when closing thetube 30.

In FIG. 6, the top wall 16 is shown separate from the body (12) of thedispenser (10). The top wall 16 is embodied as a plate having anupstanding a peripheral rim 40. As shown in the cross sections of FIGS.4 and 5, the rim 40 forms a groove facing in the direction of the bottomsurface 44 of the plate. The groove is formed to receive an upper edgeof the side wall 14. An opening 46 is provided in the recess 36 in thetop wall 16.

In assembling the dispenser 10, the upper edge of the side wall 14 isinserted into a groove formed by the rim 40 of the top wall 16. The rim40 and side wall 14 are secured together by any number of means,including a crimping of the rim, adhesive, rolling of the rim andsidewall together, spin welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. As shown, thebottom wall 18 includes a similarly formed rim 42 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)having a groove for receipt of the bottom edge of the side wall 14. Thesecuring of the side wall 14 to the respective rims 40, 42 of the topwall 16 and bottom wall 18 create the enclosed storage chamber 20. Anynumber of possible materials may be used to form the container body. Forexample, the body may be formed from a combination of materials, such asa composite side wall and injection molded top wall and bottom wall. Theside wall and bottom wall may also be injection molded, with the topwall attached to the open end of the formed body structure. A blowmolding process for forming the container body may also be used. Othermaterial examples include metals, such as aluminum, etc., for formingone or more of the parts. In another example, a relatively rigid topwall or partial wall portion may be attached to a flexible pouch orother flexible body member to form the container and to define thestorage chamber.

The discharge tube 30 is inserted (see FIGS. 4 and 5) into the opening46 formed in the recess 36 portion of the top wall 16. The outlet end 28of the tube 30 is provided with a projecting flange 48 forming a stop tosecure and/or stabilize the tube 30 in the opening 46. The flange 48 andtop wall 16 are preferably sealed together, either by the frictionalengagement or by some other means, such as welding, adhesive, etc.

The flange 48 on the tube 30 is formed closely adjacent the outlet end28, such that only a portion of the tube 30 projects into the recess 36.The top edge of the tube 30 is preferably positioned below the uppersurface 24 of the top wall 16. The cap 26 is positioned on the outletend 28 of the tube 30, closing the discharge tube 30. The patch 22 issecured to the upper surface 24 of the top wall 16, sealing the tube 30and cap 26 in the recess 36 (see FIG. 4). The patch 22 is preferablythin and formed from a flexible material, such as a plastic, paper orcombination web or film. The patch 22 is substantially positioned in theplane of the upper surface 24 of the top wall 16 and covers the recess36. The patch may be adhesively sealed to the portion of the uppersurface 24 surrounding the recess 36. An overcap or other structures maybe added to the dispenser as desired.

To open the dispenser 10 for discharge of a product (not shown) retainedin the storage chamber 20, the patch 22 is removed. A start-up tab (notshown) may be provided for grip and to initiate pealing separation ofthe patch 22 from the top wall 16. Once the patch 22 is removed, the cap26 is exposed and may be removed from its frictional engagement with thetube 20. The cap 26 may be placed in the saddle 38. The dimensions ofthe saddle portion 38 may conform to those of the cap 26, creating africtional retention of the cap 26.

Removal of the cap 26 from the outlet end of the tube 30 opens thedispenser 10. Product retained in the storage chamber 20 may bedischarge through the tube 30 by tilting or inversion of the dispenser10. Product flows from the chamber 20, into the inlet end 32 of the tube20, through the tube 30 and out of the open outlet end 28. Generally, asingle dose of product is discharged through the tube 30 on eachinversion. The dose is defined by the amount of material positionedadjacent the inlet end 32 prior to inversion. The additional productretained within the chamber 20 is prevented from flowing out of the tube30 during inversion, because it moves towards the top wall, away fromthe tube inlet 32. Additional means for controlling the quantity of eachdose of product that enters the tube during the inversion process mayalso be provided. Further, the tube may be slidably secured within theopening 46 on the top wall 16, permitting a selective extension of thetube 30 from the recess 36. Upon completing the discharge, the dispenser10 is positioned upright and the cap 26 is secured onto the outlet end28 of the tube 30, closing the product in the chamber 20.

The contemplated dispenser provides a barrier for maintaining thedischarge structures in a sanitary state during shipment and storage.The barrier formed by the contemplated patch may also serve to preventthe flow of moisture, oxygen or other gas into or out of the storagechamber. The overall structure of the dispenser is contemplated tocreate a high barrier package, with sufficient gas and moisture barrierproperties to meet the required standards for food storage. The patchserves to seal the discharge opening in the package. The patch may beformed from a plastic web with means provided to create the desiredmoisture or gas barrier qualities. The web may be a laminated structureand may include aluminum or a similar barrier material. The patch mayalso be formed from a film, paper or foil. In other forms, the patch mayinclude a one-way degassing valve for allowing degassing of the productwithin the storage chamber.

The barrier patch may further be used to deter tampering and to providean indication of tampering. For example, the adhesive or other securingmeans for the patch may be sufficiently strong to prevent undemandingremoval. Further, the adhesive preferably may be blocked upon removal,such that resealing is not readily possible, once the patch is removed.However, certain laminated structures are possible that would provide aresealing of one or more layers of the patch, after an opening access tothe cap and discharge tube.

The supplemental cap structure serves to retain and seal the productafter removal of the patch. The cap and discharge tube are recessedwithin the confines of the container body, and therefore do not createany special shipping or storage considerations for the dispenser.

The present disclosure shows and describes one or more exemplaryembodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art fromthe foregoing that various other changes, omissions and additions may bemade therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of thecontemplated invention, with the scope of the invention being defined bythe foregoing claims. Further, the terms herein are used in a genericand descriptive sense and are not necessarily for purposes oflimitation. The scope of the invention is set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser for a flowable product comprising: acontainer body defining a storage chamber for retaining product, thecontainer body having a side wall, a top wall having a defined surfaceand a recess formed in the defined surface, a bottom wall, and anopening provided in the recess; a discharge tube secured within theopening, the discharge tube having an inlet positioned within thestorage chamber and an outlet positioned within the recess of the topwall, the discharge tube formed for receiving and discharging a defineddose of product from the storage chamber; a sealing cap releasablysecured to the outlet of the discharge tube and closing the tube, thesealing cap positioned within the recess in the closed position; and apatch releasably secured to the top wall and covering the recess, thepatch conforming to the defined surface of the top wall, the patchsealing the recess and the cap and discharge tube outlet, wherein thepatch may be removed from the sealing position to expose the cap,wherein removal of the cap from the discharge tube exposes the outlet,and wherein rotation of the container body from an upright position tothe second position causes movement of the product from the chamber,into the inlet, through the tube and out of the outlet.
 2. The dispenseras in claim 1 wherein the cap is frictionally secured to the outlet ofthe discharge tube.
 3. The dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the sealingcap is tethered to the discharge tube.
 4. The dispenser as in claim 1,wherein the sealing cap is integrally formed with the discharge tube. 5.The dispenser as in claim 1 wherein the discharge tube includes anoutwardly projecting flange positioned adjacent the outlet, the flangestabilizing the discharge tube in the opening.
 6. The dispenser asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall is formed as an open endedcylinder, with the top wall attached to the one end of the cylinder andthe bottom wall attached to an opposite end of the cylinder.
 7. Thedispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge tube is slidinglyretained within the opening in the top wall.
 8. The dispenser as claimedin claim 1, wherein the patch is adhesively secured to the definedsurface of the top wall.
 9. The dispenser as in claim 8 wherein thepatch is formed from a flexible web and forming a sealing barrier.
 10. Adispenser for flowable product comprising: a container body defining astorage chamber, the body having at least one wall with a recess formedtherein; a discharge tube having an inlet communicating with the storagechamber and an outlet positioned within the recess in the wall of thecontainer; a sealing cap formed to be releasably secured to the outletto close the discharge tube, the cap in the closed position locatedwithin the recess; and a removable patch secured to the wall andcovering the recess, the discharge tube outlet and the sealing cap,wherein removal of the patch from the wall exposes the cap within therecess and release of the cap from the closed position exposes theoutlet of the discharge tube, and wherein the dispenser is selectivelyrotated for discharge of the product through the outlet.
 11. Thedispenser as in claim 10 wherein the container body further comprises aside wall and a bottom wall and wherein the wall forms the top of thebody, the top wall secured to the side wall at one end thereof and thebottom wall secured to the side wall at an opposite end.
 12. Thedispenser as in claim 11, wherein the side wall is formed as an openended cylinder, with the top wall attached to the one end of thecylinder and the bottom wall attached to an opposite end of thecylinder.
 13. The dispenser as in claim 10 further comprising an openingprovided in the recess, the discharge tube is frictionally securedwithin the opening.
 14. The dispenser as in claim 13 wherein thedischarge tube includes an outwardly projecting flange positionedadjacent the outlet, the flange securing the discharge tube in theopening.
 15. The dispenser as in claim 10, wherein the discharge tube isslidingly retained within the opening.
 16. The dispenser as in claim 10,wherein the sealing cap is tethered to the discharge tube.
 17. Thedispenser as in claim 16, wherein the sealing cap is integrally formedwith the discharge tube.
 18. The dispenser as in claim 10, wherein thepatch is adhesively secured to the defined surface of the top wall. 19.The dispenser as in claim 18 wherein the patch is a flexible web. 20.The dispenser as in claim 19 wherein the flexible web is formed by abarrier film, a barrier paper or a barrier foil.